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The boy’s parent’s struggled with his decision to change genders (Picture: Getty)

A transgender teenager who wants to cut contact with his adoptive parents has won backing from the High Court.

After the 16-year-old said he wanted to be a boy in 2014, he was referred to the Tavistock Gender Identity Clinic with gender dysphoria and later changed his name by deed poll.

His parents, who adopted him when he was six, struggled with his decision and continued to call him by his previous name.

This caused the boy annoyance and distress, said Mr Justice Keehan in a ruling made public on Thursday.

PD, who cannot be identified, came to the conclusion he no longer wanted the couple to be involved in his life or receive any information about his assessment and possible treatment.

His parents came to accept that they should not receive any medical information but – in the hope that they would one day be reconciled – asked the court in London to allow them to receive quarterly updates on PD’s life and welfare.

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But PD, who has taken two overdoses and now lives with foster carers, did not agree, said the judge. His mind was so made up that he did not even want his parents notified if he needed emergency medical treatment.

‘The depths of his wishes are conveyed by his view that if he suffered a serious accident and underwent emergency surgery he would not want to wake and find his parents at his bedside.’

The judge said that the situation was extremely difficult for everyone. PD struggled to understand the complete lack of support and understanding shown by his parents and they struggled with his feelings and decision about his gender.

‘The upshot is that he, at 16 years of age, has decided to completely disengage from family life with them.’

On the basis of the legal authorities, that was a decision which PD was perfectly entitled to reach and one which the court must respect.

The judge said he was pleased that the parents had expressed a willingness to engage with the Tavistock Clinic, which might help them to understand how PD felt when they called him by his previous name.

‘Like the parents, I very much hope the time will come when a reconciliation is effected between PD and the parents. In my judgment, however, the surest way of seeking to secure that outcome, is to respect PD’s current wishes and feelings.”

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It was for PD to decide what, if and when any details about his life were given to his parents – and it would be wholly contrary to his welfare, his Article 8 privacy rights and any hope of a reconciliation for the court to override his views and allow the local authority to provide information to his parents.

‘I know that this decision will be a source of real disappointment and distress to the parents. I hope, however, they will understand the reasons for my decision in the fullness of time.’